Pending Vaginal Mesh Lawsuits in West Virginia MDL Tops 43T Mark

As of January 9, 2014, pending vaginal mesh lawsuits consolidated into six multidistrict litigations (MDLs) in West Virginia totaled 43,809, based on court records. This number represents an additional 2,059 vaginal mesh claims or a five percent increase in just a matter of ten days.

This figure is expected to increase further in the coming weeks as more women injured by vaginal mesh devices continue to come forward to file their claims. The actual number of vaginal mesh claims may even be higher if we take into account the other vaginal mesh lawsuits filed in various state courts across the country.

Litigations of these claims have been moving relatively well, with three cases already decided by juries in favor of the plaintiffs. In addition, out-of-court settlements were agreed in three instances.

Trials of these liability lawsuits are expected to go full swing this year with seven bellwether trials already scheduled by Judge Goodwin for the West Virginia MDL.

The first bellwether trial was supposed to start on January 10, 2014 but was postponed after the lawyers of the plaintiff requested for a continuance due to the unavailability of an expert witness who had to attend to a family health crisis.